Final answer:
The phrase 'I don’t see color' is considered offensive and/or racist as it dismisses the real challenges faced by people of color and contributes to Color-Avoidance Racism, ignoring historical and systemic discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “I don’t see color,” as used by Officer Randle’s partner, can be deeply offensive and/or considered racist because it dismisses the lived experiences and societal challenges that people of color face due to their race. This type of rhetoric contributes to Color-Avoidance Racism, a form of racism that denies the significance of race and the existence of systemic racism.
Statements like “I don’t see color” ignore the historical context of racial discrimination and the ongoing impacts of racial biases in institutions such as law enforcement.
Such assertions imply a false sense of equality where none exists, failing to acknowledge the real and dangerous situations people of color may encounter, especially in interactions with the police. Furthermore, these statements can act as a shield for individuals within a racist system to avoid confronting their own biases and the structural inequalities that benefit them.